02-01-10 PCITEM 2-1
OTSEGO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
OTSEGO CITY HALL
FEBRUARY 1, 2010
7 PM
1. Chair Black will call the meeting to order.
Chair Black called the meeting to order at 7 PM.
Roll Call: Chair Pam Black; Commissioners: Dave Thompson, Tammie Fallon and
Aaron Stritesky. Commissioner Jim Kolles arrived at 7:05 PM. Excused absences:
Brian Gerten, Richard Nichols and John Thelen. City Council: CM Vern Heidner and
Mayor Jessica Stockamp. Staff: Dan Licht, City Planner; Mike Robertson, City
Administrator and Tami Loff, City Clerk.
2. Consider the following minutes.
2.1. January 4, 2010 Planning Commission Meeting.
Commissioner Thompson motioned to approve as written. Seconded by
Commissioner Fallon. All in favor. Motion carried.
3. Planning Items:
PUBLIC HEARING:
3.1. Repeal of Section 96 of the Zoning Ordinance establishing a Heritage
Preservation Commission and procedures for designation of Heritage
Preservation Sites.
City Planner Licht presented the Planner's Report. The City Council has initiated a
review of the Heritage Preservation Commission (HPC) to consider its future role
and responsibilities.
HPC Chair Ron Black stated the commission wants to know the view of the
applicant and what brought this on.
City Clerk Tami Loff attested that proper noticing, posting and publishing was
completed.
Chair Black opened the Public Hearing at 7:06 PM.
City Administrator Robertson said the City Council directed staff to go through this
process. Unlike the Planning Commission which specifically has staff that provides
information which the Planning Commission reviews and then makes their
recommendation, the other commissions were set up to be working commissions.
They were expected to do work without getting much assistance from staff. In the
past five years the HPC's main interest has been the MacDonald -Peavey house.
They have made suggestions which all had costs associated with them that the
City Council was not willing to spend.
Ron Black, 9467 Parkington Ave, HPC Chair, the HPC was established in 1994.
Since its establishment it's accomplished a number of things but lately has not
accomplished as much as they would have liked. One purpose of the commission
is to safe guard the heritage of the city by preserving sites and structures. Another
purpose is to promote the preservation and continued use of historic sites and
Planning Commission Meeting February 1, 2010. Page 2.
structures of the city and third is to foster civic pride in the beauty and notable
accomplishments of the past. One duty of the commission is to solicit gifts,
contributions and contributions to be made to the city and to assist in the
preparations of applications for grant funds for the purpose of heritage
preservation. The HPC currently has a project that has been identified and that is
the MacDonald -Peavey house. The state currently has about $6.7 million dollars
that they have to give away to these types of projects. With potential funding
available the question the commission has why has the City Council decided at this
point in time to abolish the commission.
Chris Wilson, 8600 NE Odean Ave, said she has been on the HPC for nine years.
Mrs. Wilson said the state money has to come through a city commission so if you
want money you have to keep the Heritage Commission. The commission sees the
purpose of the John MacDonald house as a site to store historic materials. These
materials currently are sitting in recycling bins in the Public Works building. The
thought was that the MacDonald house could be set up as a safe storage and
display area opened on Heritage Day. State money could also be used for the old
school house which is currently just storing old office furniture.
Shirley Isaacson, 15478 95th St, HPC member since 2006. Asking that you not
separate the HPC from the city. They have done several things one was the
Heritage book of Otsego. They are currently working toward restoring of the
MacDonald house.
Gail Anderson, 10410 Kahler Ave, resident since 1995 just came to the last
Heritage Commission meeting after reading of it possibly disbanding and is
interested in the commission.
Commissioner Thompson asked what the cost of the commission is. City
Administrator Robertson said it is very minimal. Commissioner Stritesky asked
when the State starts offering the legacy money. Mrs. Wilson said you can apply
until February 26th for this year. Mrs. Wilson said they are also offering money to
digitalize records and she said the records from the cemetery are currently in the
manager's basement on a rolodex so this is another potential project.
Chair Black closed the Public Hearing at 7:26 PM.
Commissioner Fallon asked how many commission members the HPC have. HPC
HPC Chair Black said keeping up membership has been difficult. They are allowed
seven members and currently have six members.
Flyers were sent out this last fall and two people came to the last meeting.
Commissioner Fallon asked how long they have been working on the MacDonald -
Peavey house. HPC Chair Black said in 2004 the property was reviewed for historic
status by a consultant. Chair Black said the city owns the old school house and the
MacDonald -Peavey house, what would be the advantage of getting rid of it.
Commissioner Fallon asked what the role of the Planning Commission is for this
decision, what should they focus on. City Planner Licht said that this is a decision
Planning Commission Meeting February 1, 2010. Page 3.
that requires a public hearing. The Planning Commission has interest in the role of
the HPC as it relates to community identity and land use goals.
Chair Black said she is not comfortable with doing away with the HPC commission.
Is there a middle ground -can they meet quarterly or every other month? CM
Heidner said the City Council would look at alternatives and to do any changes the
Public Hearing had to take place.
Commissioner Stritesky said he would hate to see it go away and that he likes to
see the original buildings. With the state funding it would not be a burden on the
city itself.
Commissioner Thompson said he is looking at having yearly goals and reporting
requirements established as in the Planner's report. Chair Black said she doesn't
like that because it sounds like then someone else will tell them what to do for the
year. City Planner Licht said it is more to establish some goals for them.
Commissioner Fallon said a big thing the commission might be overlooking is you
can't do that with history. You can't pinpoint what they are going to accomplish.
City Administrator Robertson said the issue is having goals that they can
accomplish.
Commissioner Fallon said can see little goals they have to be able to get the
money and then the amount they get may not be able to do everything.
Commissioner Kolles said it would be a shame to let the HPC fall by the way side.
There is a great need for it. If there is money available from the state and we can
receive some of that then we should. A lot of effort has already come from the
commission members. He feels it's been well worth the time and effort.
Commissioner Fallon said she would like to see the MacDonald -Peavey house go
to the way side but to continue with other projects.
CM Heidner said about ten years ago the City Council purchased a computer
scanner for the photos and the city is currently looking at document retention and
scanning some of the historic materials as part of this makes sense. CM Heidner
said the commission doesn't have to make a decision tonight. The Planning
Commission agreed on setting up a work session with the HPC and will contact
City Clerk Loff to schedule it.
Commissioner Fallon motioned to table until work session with HPC and
CC if they are available .Seconded by Thompson. All in favor. Motion
carried.
NON -HEARING ITEM:
3.2. Election of 2010 Planning Commission Chair and Vice Chair.
Commissioner Fallon nominated Pam Black for Chair. Seconded by
Commissioner Kolles. Motion carried 4-0. Chair Black abstained.
Commissioner Kolles nominated Dave Thompson as Vice -Chair.
Seconded by Commissioner Stritesky. Motion carried 4-0. Commissioner
Thompson abstained.
Planning Commission Meeting February 1, 2010. Page 4.
4. Any other Planning Commission Business.
4.1. Update on City Council actions by Councilmember Heidner.
CM Heidner updated the Commission.
4.2. Update on future Planning Commission Agenda Items by
Tami Loff.
City Clerk Loff stated the Darkenwald application will be on the March 15t agenda.
5. Adjournment by 10 PM.
Commissioner Fallon motioned to adjourn. Seconded by Commissioner
Thompson. All in favor. Adjourned at 8:12 PM.
Pam Black, Chair
Attest:
Tami Loff, City Clerk